Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation

SAFETY BELT SYSTEM

WARNING:
- All safety belt assemblies (including retractors, belt tension sensors [BTS] if equipped, buckles, shoulder belt height adjusters [if equipped], child safety seat tether attachments and attaching hardware) should be inspected after any collision. All new belt assemblies should be installed unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and new assemblies installed if either damage or incorrect operation is noted.

The automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature of the safety belt retractor must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the ALR feature for a child seat is functioning correctly, in addition to the other checks for correct safety belt system function. A new belt and retractor assembly must be installed if the safety belt assembly's ALR feature or any other safety belt function is not operating correctly when inspected according to the functional inspection procedures. Failure to install a new belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.

- The safety belt retractor pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag equipped vehicle and when handling a safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.

When replacing any active occupant restraint components, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts Catalog.

The active restraint system consists of the following:
- Front row safety belt buckles and pretensioners, attached to the inboard side of the seats.
- Front row adaptive load limiting retractors, located behind the lower B-pillar trim panels.
- Second row outboard safety belt retractors, located behind the rear quarter trim panels.
- Second row 60/40 seat center safety belt retractor integrated into the 60 percent seat back (60/40 bench and 60/40 with E-Z entry).
- Second row dual safety belt buckle assembly for the 60/40 seat attached to the floor pan beneath the 60 percent seat (60/40 bench).
- Second row dual safety belt buckle assembly for the 60/40 seat attached to the seat frame beneath the 60 percent seat (60/40 with E-Z entry).
- Second row LH side safety belt buckle assembly, attached to the seat frame of the 40 percent seat (60/40 with E-Z entry).
- Second row LH side safety belt buckle assembly, attached to the floor (60/40 bench).
- Second row RH and LH side safety belt buckle assembly, attached to the floor pan for the 40/40 seat with rear center console.
- Second row child safety seat tether anchors, at all seating positions, attached to the floor pan behind the second row seat. On vehicles without a third row seat are 2 child safety seat tether anchors/cargo tie downs, located in the scuff plate at the back edge of the floor. Either of the 2 tether anchors/cargo tie downs can be used to service a child safety seat in the second row center seating position.
- Second row lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) at all outboard seating positions, welded to the seat cushion frame.
- Third row safety belt retractors, located behind the rear quarter trim panel.
- Third row dual safety belt buckle assembly, attached to the LH seat latch assembly.
- Third row child safety seat tether anchors, attached to the floor pan behind the third row seat.